A comparative study for the short-term effects of targeted high-intensity UVB and narrow-band UVB in the treatment of vitiligo

Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmentation disorder for which many treatments have previously been used with varying effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of targeted high-intensity (TH) and narrow band (NB) ultraviolet B light (UVB) for vitiligo treatment. A total of 33 patients with vitiligo were enrolled in the present study. Patients with a symmetrical or near-symmetrical distribution of lesions on their bodies were selected for the present study. For each patient, half of the body was treated with TH-UVB and the other with NB-UVB twice weekly over a period of 12 weeks (24 times total). The patients were assessed each week for repigmentation of lesions. All data were analyzed using SPSS software, and a total of 30 patients were evaluated. The effective rate was significantly higher in the TH-UVB group (56.7%) compared with the NB-UVB group (20.0%; P<0.05). Additionally, the mean number of radiations necessary for initial repigmentation was significantly lower in the TH-UVB group (7.95±3.43) compared with the NB-UVB group (15.36±3.43; P<0.05). No correlation was found between the clinical features of patients and the efficacy of treatment. In summary, the results of the present study suggest that TH-UVB is a more effective treatment for vitiligo than NB-UVB.